Blumenthal, Wicker, Kaine Urge Swift Implementation of Naval Collision Comprehensive Review Recommendations

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today in a letter to Navy leadership, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Tim Kaine (D-VA), members of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, urged swift implementation of the Comprehensive Review of Recent Surface Force Incidents – undertaken following two fatal collisions this summer that claimed the lives of 17 sailors, including two Connecticut sailors. Although the report provided a number of recommendations, it did not provide an implementation timeline or designated official responsible for implementation. The Senators urged the Navy to appoint a flag officer to develop a robust implementation plan, as well as provide quarterly updates to Congress.

“To robustly and consistently implement recommendations, we request that you appoint a flag officer to oversee and coordinate implementation efforts across the entire fleet to protect and strengthen our Navy,” wrote the Senators. “As the Navy concluded, the horrific tragedies resulting from the U.S.S. Fitzgerald and U.S.S. John S. McCain collisions were avoidable. We owe it to the family and friends of those sailors who lost their lives, and the brave men and women now serving across the fleet to address any and all deficiencies.”

The Senators’ full letter to Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson is available for download here and copied below.

Dear Secretary Spencer and Admiral Richardson:

We write regarding the recently released Comprehensive Review of Recent Surface Force Incidents. This review outlines the findings and recommendations following a review of twelve major naval mishaps over the last decade in the Seventh Fleet, four of which occurred this year, including two fatal collisions that resulted in the deaths of 17 sailors this summer. As members of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, we are committed to working with the Navy to confront the factors that contributed to these mishaps. While we commend the Navy’s prompt assessment of the circumstances and factors that led to these tragic events, we urge you to ensure swift implementation of the recommendations to prevent any future incidents.

To robustly and consistently implement recommendations, we request that you appoint a flag officer to oversee and coordinate implementation efforts across the entire fleet to protect and strengthen our Navy. As the Navy concluded, the horrific tragedies resulting from the U.S.S. Fitzgerald and U.S.S. John S. McCain collisions were avoidable. We owe it to the family and friends of those sailors who lost their lives, and the brave men and women now serving across the fleet to address any and all deficiencies. To balance the urgent need for enhanced safety and skills training with the need to maintain the unrelenting operational tempo necessary to effectively execute missions, we must have a dedicated team overseeing implementation efforts.

We encourage the designated flag officer to develop a robust implementation plan, to include prioritization of recommendation implementation, a strategy for how to reach them, as well as a timeline by which to achieve them. This is particularly necessary given inconsistent implementation of similar analysis and recommendations in past years from internal reports like the Balisle Report, as well as recommendations provided by Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports, as highlighted by the GAO Director for Defense Capabilities and Management during testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee in September. As the Balisle Report noted, “It appears the effort to derive efficiencies has overtaken our culture of effectiveness.” Sadly, the Comprehensive Review continues to echo this same concern. As the Comprehensive Review produced tens of recommendations related to doctrine, organization, training, material, leadership and education, personnel, and facilities, we are concerned that without a clear strategy, some recommendations will fall through the cracks, allowing history to repeat itself.

We remain committed to supporting your efforts to ensure the safety and efficiency of our Navy as it operates around the world. We request you provide quarterly updates to Congress on the progress of implementation and alert us to any additional authorities you may need to carry out this effort. We look forward to receiving the results of Secretary Spencer’s Strategic Review in the near future and remain committed to working with you on this matter.